Orlando Magic Daily
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Five names Orlando Magic should watch in Summer League

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jul 22, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Canada forward Melvin Ejim (6) drives to the basket against Argentina forward Nicolas Brussino (9) in the men
Jul 22, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Canada forward Melvin Ejim (6) drives to the basket against Argentina forward Nicolas Brussino (9) in the men /
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Melvin Ejim

The best player that the Magic might want to get their hands on to look at again from their D-League affiliate in Erie is a guy they should be familiar with from last year — Melvin Ejim.

Keith Appling seems unlikely to get an invite to Orlando this summer because of his pending legal troubles despite an overall solid season with the Bayhawks.

That leaves Ejim as a solid option for the Magic to explore again.

Last year in Summer League, Ejim averaged 9.2 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game in five games for the Magic. That earned him a training camp invite where he nearly made the roster and then a contract with the Erie Bayhawks.

In Erie this year, Ejim averaged 14.6 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game. He is a bit of an undersized power forward. He shot 47.3 percent from the floor and struggled some from beyond the arc. Continuing to improve his jumper was a big aspect to his time in Erie.

But Ejim is the kind of player that always endears himself to a coaching staff. He plays hard and is a decent defender for the D-League level. There is always the chance to impress a coach with that kind of effort.

The D-League projects Ejim would post 9.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per 36 minutes in the NBA. Again, not impressive. But another player the Magic are familiar with and could give a second look to this summer.

Next: Talib Zanna